THE DESERT LOWLANDS

Southwest of Springdale is the hottest, driest section of Zion National Park. At a lower elevation than any other part of the park, this area's beauty is more subtle and is suitable for hiking only in the cooler months. Across the river and south of Rockville are the wondrous Water Canyon and Canaan Mountain in BLM land. Note: This page is in dire need of updating and maybe one day I will get around to it!

CHINLE TRAIL
Rating: moderately strenuous day hike.
The Chinle Trail is the official trail of the desert section although its subtle beauty and scorching summer heat keep this from ever being a "Zion classic" hike. Starting at a small parking area in the Anasazi Plateau residential development, the trail heads northwest out of the development and into the national park lands. Following the trail roughly 7 miles crosses over a pertified forest and several washes of the area: Huber Wash, Scoggins Wash, and Coalpits Wash. For those interested in backpacking, Upper Coalpits Wash is also worthy of exploration.		 Chinle Trail
HUBER WASH
Huber Wash Rating: moderately strenuous day hike.
An alternate start to the Chinle Trail or a short day-hike in itself, the Huber Wash route trailhead starts at the end of the 4-wheel drive road west of Rockville and follows the wash upstream for about 2.5 miles. After the main wash swings northeast, it turns into a small canyon and it takes a bit of rock-scrambling to make it out of the wash and join the Chinle Trail path. This is admittedly the least interesting route in the desert section.
COALPITS WASH
Rating: moderately strenuous day hike.
Coalpits Wash has its own trailhead off of Route 9, and it is another fairly interesting wash for exploration, especially in wet years when there is some flowing water. Less than two miles up the wash is the confluence of Scoggins Wash on the east and Upper Coalpits Wash to the west. Taking the Upper Coalpits option brings you out of the wash by the official end of the Chinle Trail.		 Coalpits Wash
SCOGGINS WASH
Rating: moderately strenuous day hike.
Yet another alternate route through one of the washes of the area, the Scoggins Wash route is about 5.5 miles long one way. This route starts from the same Coalpits Wash trailhead and less than two miles up Coalpits Wash is the confluence with Scoggins Wash on the east. Head northeast up Scoggins Wash and after about a mile is the Old Scoggins Stock Trail (marked by a small sign on the west bank of the wash) which joins with the Chinle Trail. Alternatively, you can stay in the wash and follow it up and over the Chinle Trail to the base of the Towers of the Virgin and the Alter of Sacrifice.
CRATER HILL
Rating: moderately strenuous day hike.
Yet another alternative start to exploring the desert section is via the high-clearance Dalton Wash Road west of Coalpits Wash. The trailhead is located at the western park boundary just north of Crater Hill and provides somewhat easier access to Upper Coalpits Wash. As the landscape is hot and desolate, this option would not be appealing to most. The faint trail heads east and joins up with Coalpits Wash at the official end of the Chinle Trail.
UPPER COALPITS WASH
Rating: moderately strenuous backpacking. backpacking route
Although the Chinle Trail officially ends, one can still explore further up Upper Coalpits Wash. A well-worn path continues up Coalpits Wash and within two miles are the small historic oil well ruins. Past Jennings Wash, the cliffs close in and route becomes more difficult and more scenic. Explore as far as you desire, then return downstream. To explore this area at a leisurely pace, this upper section would be best done as a two-day backpacking hike.
GRAFTON (Ghost Town)
Rating: quick easy stroll. family-friendly
Located south of Route 9, Grafton is an old "ghost" town of a few buildings from an old abandoned Mormon settlement. Although this isn't really a hike and it isn't in the Zion National Park boundary, this is a good little tourist destination for those with children. From the town of Rockville, cross over the small metal bridge, then head west on the dirt road for five miles. The old buildings and cemetery are maintained by the Grafton Heritage Partnership Project; please help preserve the site.
EAGLE CRAGS TRAIL
Eagle Crags Trail Rating: moderately strenuous day hike.
This is a little six-mile (round trip) hike just outside of Zion and Springdale (south of the highway as opposed to all of the other routes on this page). The trailhead is off of a 4WD dirt road to the south of Rockville. The path wraps around the Eagle Crags and gives a good peak into the elusive lower Parunuweap Canyon and several of the surrounding canyons. If you are looking for something different, this is a great little hike.
WATER CANYON and CANAAN MOUNTAIN
Rating: fairly strenuous day hike.
Located on BLM land and accessible from behind the remote town of Hildale, Water Canyon is a beautiful little oasis in the middle of the desert. Reminiscent of The Subway, Water Canyon is a narrow canyon with a clever trail that follows the fractures in the west side of the canyon to make its way to the mountains above. (Water Canyon has also been used as a training canyon for a few local outfitters.) Once out of the canyon, Canaan Mountain is a beautiful and desolate with deep sand and fascinating slickrock formations.		 Canaan Mountain
SQUIRREL CANYON
Rating: fairly strenuous day hike.
Also located on BLM land behind Hildale, Squirrel Canyon is probably overshadowed by the more lush and interesting Water Canyon. Located east of Water Canyon, Squirrel Canyon shows many signs of ATV usage, but the various interesting slickrock formations, including "the Beehive" may overshadow its downsides. Once out of Squirrel Canyon, one can explore the beautifully desolate path on top of Canaan Mountain.


Recommended Hikes ->


Hiking symbols used for descriptions:
a Zion classic ZION CLASSIC: a must-do hike if you want to see the best of Zion!
family-friendly FAMILY-FRIENDLY: a good choice for those with children who like to hike.
backpacking route BACKPACKING: a route enjoyable as a multi-day hike.
technical canyoneering or climbing route TECHNICAL: canyoneering or scrambling route requiring technical gear and climbing and/or rappelling experience. Not suitable for casual hikers.